Posthumus, has secretly married his childhood friend Imogen, daughter of King Cymbeline. Cymbeline, upon finding out, banishes Posthumus from the kingdom. Iachimo, a soldier in the Roman army, makes a bet with Posthumus that he can tempt Imogen to be unfaithful. He sneaks into her bedchamber and steels her bracelet. Then he tells Posthumus he has won the bet, offering the bracelet as proof. Posthumus orders his faithful servant Pisanio to murder Imogen. Pisanio warns her instead, then helps her fake her death, and to disguise herself as a boy.